Latest news with #RenfrewshireHSCP
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Locals slam proposals to close Renfrewshire Disability Resource Centre
The service, which provides support for people with physical disabilities and sensory impairments, is one of several services that have been earmarked for closure by Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP). It was recently reported that Renfrewshire HSCP has put wide-ranging cuts to health and social care services back on the table in an attempt to plug a multi-million-pound funding gap for the financial year 2026/27. Neil Bibby MSP, who led the meeting, was joined by Labour councillors Iain McMillan, Ben Smith, Carolann Davidson and Janis McDonald to hear from service users and their families about how the proposals have affected their mental and physical health. Bibby expressed concerns about the plans. He said: "When horrific proposals like this are made, it is crucial that the voices of those they affect are heard. "That is why it was so valuable – though deeply concerning – to listen first-hand to the views of DRC users and their families regarding the closure of their vital service they face. "The closure of the DRC proposed by Renfrewshire HSCP is simply unacceptable, and I will continue to do all I can to ensure that it and other essential services are saved from the axe. READ MORE: World's tallest cinema in Glasgow's could 'close any day' "But given the Scottish Government funds both Renfrewshire Council and the local health board – the bodies that make up the HSCP – ministers in Edinburgh should also set out what, if anything, they are going to do to prevent these proposals from becoming a reality.' Attendees also highlighted how central the DRC is to their quality of life through the social activities and services it provides, and many told of the huge anxiety its uncertain future has caused. McMillan added: "It was really humbling to hear first-hand what the DRC and other services that are under threat mean to service users and their families. "It is a disgrace that the HSCP finds itself in this position. "The Scottish Government should be ashamed of themselves as they have stood back and allowed this situation to develop." A spokesperson from Renfrewshire HSCP said: "We understand this is a worrying time for many, particularly unpaid carers and families who rely on day services and disability support. "We would like to make it clear that the proposal under consideration is not to close the DRC service, but to relocate it – allowing us to continue delivering services from fewer buildings across our portfolio. READ MORE: Will asylum seekers be housed in a former Glasgow care home? "This proposal also forms part of a wider review of services, including Learning Disability and Physical Disability Day Services, Older Adult Day Services, and Learning Disability Respite. "Like many public sector organisations across Scotland, the HSCP is facing significant financial pressures. "In response, the Integration Joint Board (IJB) is exploring ways to review and redesign services to ensure they remain sustainable while continuing to support those most in need. "In December 2024, IJB voting members considered approximately £19 million of potential savings across HSCP service areas. "This reflected their decision to identify savings of 10 per cent across all influenceable service budgets, wherever possible. "They agreed that £13.8m of this amount should be managed over the next three financial years through the redesign of internal service models. "The IJB also agreed that the proposals identified to make up the remaining shortfall should be further developed, with feedback gathered through public and staff engagement. "This period of engagement, which ran throughout June and into July 2025, offered people opportunities to share their views through face-to-face and online events, as well as through questionnaires. "It was designed to gather feedback from individuals, families, carers, and staff on how any proposed changes might affect people. "The feedback collected through these activities is currently being reviewed and will inform the updated impact assessments, which will be published ahead of the next IJB meeting on Friday, September 19, 2025. "We want to emphasise that no decisions will be made on any of the proposals before this meeting."
The National
02-05-2025
- Health
- The National
Jobs lost as food delivery charity closes branch in Scottish city
Food Train has written to the 150 residents aged 65 and over to whom its volunteers deliver shopping every week, notifying them that their final deliveries will be at the end of May. It comes after Renfrewshire Health and Social Partnership (HSCP) decided to withdraw funding for the charity in this financial year. Redundancy consultation with the charity's three members of staff in Paisley is also underway. READ MORE: Scottish ministers approve plan for new wind farm and battery storage site Group leaders say they have "spent months" exploring ways in which services for its members in the area - almost half of whom are aged over 80 - could be saved. This included calling on the HSCP to reverse its decision or consider other ways in which its work could be supported. Alan Dalziel, Food Train's Paisley-based chair, expressed his "disappointment" at the decision. He said: "The unfortunate reality is that, without Renfrewshire HSCP's financial support, our services cannot continue. "Closure is a heartbreaking but unavoidable decision that our board was forced to take. "We thank the Renfrewshire branch's dedicated volunteers for their incredible contributions and our hardworking staff who so often went the extra mile. "We are extremely disappointed for them and our amazing members that we have not been able to find another way to continue operating locally. "The services Food Train provides are a lifeline. We know our members will be upset and concerned about what closure means for them. "Our priority now is helping to ensure, where possible, they have access to the food and support they need. "We are working with the HSCP and other organisations to try to arrange alternative provision. A spokesperson from Renfrewshire HSCP said: 'We have been in discussion with Food Train over recent months to look at an alternative model of providing the service. "We were hoping that Food Train could remain an option for people in Renfrewshire through self-directed support. "Our current financial challenges mean we are faced with difficult choices in maintaining the same levels of funding previously provided and we must prioritise the budget we have available to us. "We will continue to work with them to ensure that all people who are assessed as needing support from our services, will continue to receive the best care and support we can provide for their circumstances."
Glasgow Times
02-05-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
'Redundancies' after Paisley branch of service set to close
Food Train has written to the 150 residents aged 65 and over to whom its volunteers deliver shopping every week, notifying them that their final deliveries will be at the end of May. It comes after Renfrewshire Health and Social Partnership (HSCP) decided to withdraw funding for the charity in this financial year. Redundancy consultation with the charity's three members of staff in Paisley is also underway. Group leaders say they have "spent months" exploring ways in which services for its members in the area - almost half of whom are aged over 80 - could be saved. This included calling on the HSCP to reverse its decision or consider other ways in which its work could be supported. READ MORE: Residents 'disgusted' as ducklings seen swimming in litter-filled canal Alan Dalziel, Food Train's Paisley-based chair, expressed his "disappointment" at the decision. He said: "The unfortunate reality is that, without Renfrewshire HSCP's financial support, our services cannot continue. "Closure is a heartbreaking but unavoidable decision that our board was forced to take. "We thank the Renfrewshire branch's dedicated volunteers for their incredible contributions and our hardworking staff who so often went the extra mile. "We are extremely disappointed for them and our amazing members that we have not been able to find another way to continue operating locally. "The services Food Train provides are a lifeline. We know our members will be upset and concerned about what closure means for them. "Our priority now is helping to ensure, where possible, they have access to the food and support they need. "We are working with the HSCP and other organisations to try to arrange alternative provision. A spokesperson from Renfrewshire HSCP said: 'We have been in discussion with Food Train over recent months to look at an alternative model of providing the service. "We were hoping that Food Train could remain an option for people in Renfrewshire through self-directed support. "Our current financial challenges mean we are faced with difficult choices in maintaining the same levels of funding previously provided and we must prioritise the budget we have available to us. "We will continue to work with them to ensure that all people who are assessed as needing support from our services, will continue to receive the best care and support we can provide for their circumstances."
STV News
01-05-2025
- General
- STV News
Charity delivering food to elderly makes 'heartbreaking' decision to close branch
A charity for older people has made the 'heartbreaking' decision to close its Renfrewshire branch after funding for its services was brought to an end. Food Train has written to the 150 residents, aged 65 and over, to whom its volunteers drop off shopping each week and informed them their final deliveries will be at the end of this month. It said this follows the withdrawal of funding from Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), which provided £65,000 on an annual basis. Alan Dalziel, Food Train's Paisley-based chair, said: 'The unfortunate reality is that, without Renfrewshire HSCP's financial support, our services cannot continue. 'Closure is a heartbreaking but unavoidable decision that our board was forced to take. 'We thank the Renfrewshire branch's dedicated volunteers for their incredible contributions and our hardworking staff who so often went the extra mile. 'We are extremely disappointed for them and our amazing members that we have not been able to find another way to continue operating locally. 'The services Food Train provides are a lifeline. We understand that our members will be understandably upset and concerned about what closure means for them. 'Our priority now is helping to ensure, where possible, they have access to the food and support they need. 'We are working with the HSCP and other organisations to try to arrange alternative provision.' A redundancy consultation with the charity's three members of staff in Paisley is also underway, it has been confirmed. Its leaders said they have spent months exploring ways in which the services for its members in the area – almost half of whom are over the age of 80 – could be saved. Food Train, which operates local shopping services across Scotland, had been supported by the local authority on an ongoing basis since 2013. It explained the majority of those who benefit from its services live alone and almost a fifth of its members across Renfrewshire are aged 90 and over. Most of them receive a weekly phone call from volunteers to support them to make a shopping list and plan their meals for the week before groceries are collected at Morrisons, Paisley, then delivered to their homes. Volunteers can also help put items away. Chief executive Rosie McLuskie said: 'Food Train is more than just a shopping service. 'Our fantastic volunteers play a critical role in stopping older people falling ill because of malnutrition and loneliness. 'They ensure they have the food they need to eat well and provide enjoyable company so they live well. 'We appreciate the financial strain that public services are under, but are concerned that the loss of our cost-effective services is a false economy which risks increasing pressure on NHS and social care services in Renfrewshire. 'Should there ever be a change of heart by the HSCP, we would, of course, be keen to explore how our services could operate in the area.' A Renfrewshire HSCP spokesperson said: 'We have been in discussion with Food Train over recent months to look at an alternative model of providing the service. 'We were hoping that Food Train could remain an option for people in Renfrewshire through self-directed support. 'Our current financial challenges mean we are faced with difficult choices in maintaining the same levels of funding previously provided and we must prioritise the budget we have available to us. 'We will continue to work with them to ensure that all people who are assessed as needing support from our services will continue to receive the best care and support we can provide for their circumstances.' Food Train said its one-to-one Meal Makers and Eat Well Age Well services will remain available for people in Renfrewshire. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
